Lunar New Year in outback Queensland

Li Hong Zhong, known to her Australian friends as Connie, with her parents Ming Jan Zhong (Jack) and Ong Zhen He (Anne). Connie says the family always undertakes a big spring clean at Lunar New Year. (ABC :Blythe Moore )

Ming Jan Zhong and Ong Zhen He, known as Jack and Anne to their friends in Longreach, struggle to express themselves in English.

But when it comes to the Lunar New Year, their eyes and smiles convey their excitement.

The couple has been cooking up a feast of Chinese-style chicken and pork in the lead up to their New Year celebration, and delicious smells and sizzling sounds emanate from their kitchen.

They offer me some pork, while Jack slices chicken and serves it to me, encouraging me to eat and to share in their excitement.

The couple will spend the Lunar New Year in Longreach with their daughter Connie, who has lived in Australia since 2004.

Jack and Anne joined her in 2008.

Connie speaks English well and helps to translate for her parents.

She explains that in China their celebrations would be huge, but in central-west Queensland, it will just be the three of them.

"Normally before the Chinese New Year comes we do like a spring clean," she says.

"It means put everything, the bad things out of the door, put the red (decorations) around the door, the side of the door both sides.

"It looks happier and everything's new and it means keeping the bad things outside of the door."

Connie says this Lunar New Year will not be particularly special for her as she misses her friends and extended family in China.

However, she says she will speak to them on Skype which will help her to feel part of the celebrations in her home country.

Lunar New Year is an important celebration for millions of people all around the world, including many Australians with an Asian heritage.

The Lunar New Year is celebrated by many communities, including Chinese, Korean Vietnamese, Tibetan, Mongolian and Japanese.